The Building Inspector and Health Officer is a Division of the Montpelier Planning and Development Department. One full time Assistant Building Inspector/Assistant Health Officer staffs the division.

The City of Montpelier has adopted Building, Fire and Life Safety Codes that apply to all properties including single family owner occupied homes. These codes are enforced with help of inspections conducted as part of the Building Permit process and in public buildings when complaints are received or on a routine basis. All issued Building Permits require a new Certificate of Occupancy be issued; the inspections required will be noted in the Building Permit Letter.

The Building Inspector Enforces the Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code 2012under contract with the State Division of Fire Safety for all new and existing public buildings except day-care, health care, detention and correctional and residential board and care facilities, state owned buildings, high-rise buildings and the testing and reporting of fire protection systems by technically qualified people.

The Montpelier Building and Fire Code 2007 is adopted by City Ordinance. To help save lives and property the City of Montpelier has adopted amendments that require the installation of fire sprinklers in all new construction, for all changes of use, and for some additions to structures. The City offers a tax creditto qualifying buildings with fire sprinklers installed and properly maintained.

As Health Officer, there is the need to respond to complaints and proactively act to protect the community from public health threats. Areas of regular activities are rental housing, rabies and animal bites, garbage control and rats, mold complaints, lead abatement issues, carbon monoxide and smoke complaints, water supplies, septic tanks, and restaurant inspections. Special situations also involve the Health Officer when they occur. The Health Officer works under the authority of the Vermont Department of Health.